Two more derelict houses could be turned into homes again after they were identified as eye-sores by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The council’s private sector housing team is working towards compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the properties which will then be sold on to developers who agree to bring them up to a decent standard.
A notice has already been posted at a property in Lansdowne Road, Bridlington, and the council is also preparing to take action at a property in Beverley which has drawn complaints from neighbours.
Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection at the council, said: “Putting these properties back into use will not only provide homes for people, it will also help to keep the East Riding looking its best.
“The deterioration of an empty property can have a noticeable affect on the area. We can understand how people living near these properties feel, as they do not want to be affected by the possibility of fly tipping, anti-social behaviour or other problems empty homes can attract.
“Ideally we would always choose to work with the owners of an empty building to make sure it is put to good use, but where this is not possible we can choose to use a CPO to resolve the situation.”
The latest CPOs follow recent success in Seaton Road, Hessle, where a derelict three bedroom mid-terraced property was bought by the council. After the council completed the CPO process The Lands Tribunal set a price of £65,000. The house was then sold on the market for £68,000.
Terms of the sale included a time scale for the new owner to complete the refurbishment work to the house, which will ensure that the property is renovated and re-occupied.
The result will be beneficial to the whole of the Seaton Road area and demonstrates that the council is dedicated to improving residents’ quality of life.
Three empty properties in Goole will also be put back into use after the council negotiated to buy them from their owners, avoiding the CPO process.
Most empty properties are brought back into use by informal negotiation with the owner. Should that fail compulsory purchase under The Housing Act (1985) is the last resort to restore a home to use.
Anyone concerned about an empty property should contact Roger Curry, empty property officer, on (01482) 396016.
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